SafePlants

Alkanna tinctoria: Unveiling the Dyer's Alkanet

Alkanna tinctoria, commonly known as dyer's alkanet or simply alkanet, is a fascinating herb with a rich history of use as a natural red dye. Belonging to the borage family, Boraginaceae, this perennial plant offers a glimpse into the world of natural pigments and traditional remedies.

Considerations for Pets

• The text references the plant's roots being used as a red dye, due to the presence of Alkannin. Ingestion of the roots might cause staining.

Considerations for Children

• The plant's roots are traditionally used as a red dye. Contact with the plant or its extracts may cause staining.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Alkanna tinctoria (TAUSCH.)
• Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
• Synonyms:
  • Lithosfermum tinctorium (VAH L.)
  • Anchusa tinctoria L.
  • Lithospermum tinctoriun L.
  • Anchusa pusztarum Borbs
  • Alkanna lehmannii (Tineo) A. DC.
  • Baphorhiza tinctoria (L.) Link
  • Buglossum tinctorium Lam.
• Common Names:
  • Alkanet
  • Dyer's bugloss (English)
  • Orcanette, alkanna (French)

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Alkanna tinctoria is a perennial plant that typically grows to a height of 0.2 meters (8 inches) and a spread of 0.3 meters (1 foot).
• It flowers in June.
• The flowers are hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive parts.
• Described as a herbaceous, viscid, glandular-hairy, yellowish-green perennial, often cushion-like with much-branched stems, erect or ascending, angular.

Distribution and Habitat

• The plant is native to India.
• Alkanna malatyana, another species in the genus, is endemic to the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey.

Traditional and Historical Uses

• The most notable use of Alkanna tinctoria is its roots, which are used to produce a red dye.
• The coloring agent in the root is Alkannin, which needs to be extracted using alcohol and hot water before being used in a dye bath.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Extracts from tissues of Alkanna orientalis have shown antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria.
• The plant has demonstrated anti-MDR bacterial activity in its leaves from district Charsadda, Pakistan.

Quirky Facts

• The roots of Alkanna tinctoria are known in German as "Schminkwurzel," which translates to "make-up root," highlighting its historical use as a cosmetic dye.

Further Information

• WebMD provides patient medical information on ALKANNA, including uses, effectiveness, side effects, and safety.